Description

Debate and critical oracy allow students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of academic subjects, while simultaneously developing their communication and critical thinking skills, which can be hugely effective in increasing attainment. This book, written by an experienced teacher and founder of The Noisy Classroom, aims to help students learn to argue, disagree and debate in a constructive manner. Packed with resources and engaging exercises, it shows teachers how to develop an argument-culture in the classroom that promotes open-mindedness and encourages students to explore new perspectives, defend views or challenge others.

Divided into two parts, The Noisy Classroom includes

A reflection on critical oracy and why it is important

A step-by-step guide for teachers to set up and encourage debate across the curriculum, highlighting how to get the most out of a Noisy Classroom

Advice for teachers on how to overcome barriers to building and using critical oracy in the classroom, including troubleshooting when things go wrong

Practical ideas for sharpening pair, group and whole class discussions, ranging from small starter and plenary activities, to full parliamentary style debates

The book brings together activities gathered and tested over twenty years of working in debate, oracy and education. It is intended for school teachers, including both NQTs and more experienced practitioners.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Part one: The case for critical oracy

1. What is critical oracy

2. Why is oracy important?

3. Overcoming barriers to using critical oracy in the classroom.

4. The role of senior leaders and teachers in a school of noisy classrooms

5. Trouble Shooting

Part two: What to do in your classroom: the activities

1. Parliamentary debate

2. Other debate formats

Balloon debates

Boxing match debates

Table debates

Public meetings

Conscience alley

3. Shorter activities

Rebuttal tennis

I couldn't disagree more

Where do you stand?

Hat debates

4. In character

Hot seating

Mock trials

Question time

Chat show

News broadcast

5. Formats for critical group or whole class work

On that point

Dragon's den

Fish bowl

Expert groups

Argument stations

6. Formats for critical pair discussion

Rebuttal tennis

Ask and switch

Rotating circle

Teacher-pupil pairs

Question and answer pair up.

7. Activities to explicitly develop oracy skills

The um-er game

Defending the indefensible

Following instructions

How are you feeling?

Expand-contract

Appendices

The Noisy Manifesto

Glossary

Sentence stems and connectives to aid effective critical oracy

Examples of vocabulary to pre-teach

Assessment criteria

List of debate and discussion topics

Debate speech scaffold sheets

Oracy in the National Curriculum

Bibliography and useful links

About the Author

Debbie Newman has been involved in oracy education for 18 years, firstly running Speech and Debate at the English-Speaking Union and then as a secondary English teacher and whole school lead on the spoken word. She was the coach of the England Schools’ Debating team 2006-2009, winning the World Championships in 2008. Debbie founded and developed The Noisy Classroom, an organisation training teachers, producing resources and running workshops for students in debate and critical oracy.